Improvement in folding dish-drainers



O. E. STEARNS. Folding Dish-Drainer.

No. 222,542. Patented Dec. 9, I879.

To all whom it may conccln:

' UNITED- STATES PATENT Quince.

CHARLES EUSTEABNS, OF BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS.

IMPROVEMENT IN FOLDING DISH-DRAINERS.

Specification forming part of Letters Patent No. 222.54 2, datedDecember 9, 1879 application filed October 3, 1879.

Be it known that I, CHARLES E. STEARNS,

of Boston, in the county of Sufl'olk and State of Massachusetts, haveinvented an Improved Folding Dish-Drainer, of which the following is afull, clear, and exact description, reference being had to theaccompanying drawings, making part of this specificatiomin which- Figure1 is a perspective view of my improved folding dish-drainer open. Fig. 2is a transverse vertical section through the same.

Fig. 3 is an end elevation of the same closed.

My invention has for its object to furnish a neat and convenient rackfor holding dishes and plates after being washed in order to facilitatethe draining of the water therefrom previous to wiping and it consistsin a dishdrainer composed of two slatted portions,

" which are crossed and pivoted together so as to allow of their beingopened and held apart by a stop or stopsat the desired angle, and whennot required for use compactly folded up so as to occupy very littlespace.

To enable others skilled in the art to understand and use my invention,I will proceed to describe the manner in which I have carried it out. p

In the said drawings, A B represent the two halves or "portions of thedish-drainer, which are crossed and pivoted together by means of a rod,1), extending longitudinally through them, thus forming a double rackorholder, which can be opened or folded up at pleasure. Each of theseportions A B is composed of two end pieces, 0, between which arearranged a series of slats or bars, (1, which are secured at their upperends by a rod, 6, passing through them and uniting the end pieces, 0,and'at their lower extremities by the pivotal rod b, the slats d of-0neportion fitting v into the spaces between the slats of the other portionat their lower ends, and being of less length than the end pieces, 0, soas to extend only a little below the rod b.

To the outer side of each of the portions A B, and extending entirelyacross it from one end to the other, is secureda flat strip or bar,f,which forms a stop forthe other portion to strike against when thedrainer is opened into the position seen in Fig. 1, and the two portionsare thus held at an angle of about fortyfive degrees to a verticalplane; but the degree of inclination may be varied as desired.

I prefer to use two stops, f, one on each side, as the strain is therebyequalized; but one stop only may be employed, if desired, and in lieuofa strip or bar a stop of any other suit able construction may be used,if preferred.

When required for use the drainer is opened and placed in the sink withthe legs 9 resting on the bottom thereof, and the dishes, after beingwashed, are then laid flat against the inner slatted surfaces of theportions A B, as seen in Fig. 2, until the latter are covered, when thedishes may be placed one over the other until. the drainer is filled,the inclination of the slatted surfaces allowing the water to readilydrain oil the dishes, leaving them comparatively dry and ready forwiping.

When the drainer is full the dishes can be further rinsed, if desired,by pouring hot water over them, which will instantly run off through thespaces between the slats or bars.

It will be observed that a clear space is left under the drainer betweenthe two pairs of crossed legs g, which is a great advantage, as itleaves more room in the sink.

After use the drainer can be compactly folded or closed, as seen in Fig.3, when it may be hung up on a nail or put away in any convenient place,and when thus folded up it occupies very little space; consequently anumber of them can be laid flat, one upon the other, and packed in avery small compass,

which greatly facilitates their shipment o'r.

' spoons, or other articles to drop through.

What I claim asmy invention, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-

A dish-drainer, as described, composed of two pairs of straightsupports, 0 g, pivoted to gether at the ends of a horizontal rod, 1),and

Witness my hand this 1st day of October, A. D. 1879.

CHARLES E. STEARNS.

In presence of- P. E. TESGHEMACHER, W. J. CAMBRIDGE.

